PEOPLE BEING PEOPLE

Two nonagenarians defied creaking joints and reluctant muscles to compete in a thrilling 60-meter dash last week. Belgian runner Emiel Pauwels, 94, took on Finnish rival Ilmari Koppinen, 95, in the European Veterans Athletics Championships in San Sebastian, Spain. Although Koppinen got off to a flying start, the younger athlete passed him just seconds from the finish line. However, both runners were awarded gold medals—Pauwels for finishing first in the over-90s category, and Koppinen for 95 and over. Koppinen also won gold medals in the shot put, long jump, and triple jump categories.